Ecobank wins best digital bank in Africa

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 08:06:37 +0000

By SANDRA MACHIMA

ECOBANK’s digital drive and success has been recognized after a double award win triumph in two categories at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2017.

Ecobank Group CEO, Ade Ayeyemi said the award served as validation to the global banking industry about the positive impact of the Ecobank digital strategy.

“We are using digital technology to financially include many millions more into formal financial systems, and therefore improve lives across Africa, including Zambia, so it is wonderful to be acknowledged in this way.”

And Ecobank Zambia managing director, Kola Adeleke said the achievement was a testimony of its commitment in growing the business through innovation and technology as the bank moved towards embracing the digital platform as the next banking frontier.

“We are very happy to win the Best Digital Bank in Africa Award. Our digital products enable our customers, including the important merchant segment, to grow their businesses and live life with convenience,” he said.

Mr Adeleke said its bank digital platforms had given an opportunity to millions of Zambians who had their sim cards registered to open a free bank account using their mobile phones.

He said the innovative application was a confirmation of Ecobank’s commitment to support the objective of the Government of Zambia on financial Inclusion and cashless banking by promoting electronic payments.

“The Ecobank Mobile Application enables customers to send and receive money instantly across 32 other African countries, other than Zambia, and customers can also use the application to open a free digital account Ecobank Xpress Account instantly,” he said.

Mr Adeleke explained that Ecobank was also the first bank in Africa to partner with Mastercard, a leader in global payments and technology, to bring its customers Masterpass with great banking convenience.

He explained that the new cashless solution made payments possible in-store and online via a mobile phone.

The leading Pan-African bank was awarded Best Digital Bank in Africa and Best Bank in Ghana at a ceremony that was held at the Tower of London last week.

Recently, Ecobank won the “Innovation in Banking” award at the prestigious 2017 African Banker Awards.